How To PraySample

Say What’s on Your Mind: Intercession

Everything we’ve covered thus far forms the non-negotiable foundation for prayer. The moment prayer becomes anything other than a conversation with God, we’ve made it into something it’s not. But what do you say when you’re talking to God?

This question is all-important. One answer is that we can say anything to God. He’s listening, and he cares. It doesn’t matter how trivial, difficult, outraged, or perplexed your prayers are: God cares about what you care about. And a whole lot more. So if you care about other people, you should expect those people to come up in your conversations with God.

There is a statement that pops up a few times in the New Testament: “If you ask anything in [Jesus’] name, [the Father] will give it to you.” How’s that for a blank check? But looking at the context of just one of these statements will give some insight into what Jesus wants us to be praying for.

In John 15, Jesus tells us that in remaining connected to him, we find life. And we find his life flowing through us to others (a concept he refers to as “bearing fruit”). When he tells us that God will grant our every request, he adds “so that you will love one another” (v. 17). In other words, praying for people is a form of love. Jesus’ love flows through you as your love for other people leads you to pray for them. This is what we mean by “intercessory prayer.” 

It’s a sign of health in your conversations with God when you find yourself naturally talking to God about more and more aspects of your life. If you care about it, God wants to hear about it.